Colossians 3:12-17 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Colossians 3:12-17. Some passages don’t need much explanation, just memorization! Colossians 3:
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
On verses 12-17: Each of these verses is beautiful and could be a sermon on its own in terms of learning how to do each one. If you’re wondering how to clothe yourself with virtues like kindness, humility, and gentleness (v12), check out our Sweeter Than Honey relationship series from 2017. If you’re wondering how to do what verses 13-16 tell us to do, sign up for the next term of Thrive Discipleship School Level 2: Growing in Your Relationship with God.
Here I will touch on one verse: verse seventeen. When verse 17 says, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus”, what does that mean? Every day we pray “in Jesus’ name”, but what does it really mean to do something in the name of Jesus?
Here’s an illustration you might find helpful: many years ago I worked with a very senior lawyer in a law firm. Over time I became his right hand man. We worked on many late night cases together. He trusted me enough that he would even let me send emails in his name without needing to review them beforehand. Armed with that kind of power, I would — on occasion when I felt especially mischievous — be tempted to send out a funny message under his name, but I never did! It’s because I knew he trusted me with his powerful name. Whatever I wrote in his name had to be honouring to him and reflect what he would think and say. Even in how I would say it, I tried to be like him. And whenever I sent that message out in his name, that message had the same impact and effect as if he himself were sending it.
Similarly, Jesus has entrusted you with His powerful name! When Paul says “Do it all in the name of Jesus”, he means:
1. In whatever you do, do it with the goal of honouring Jesus.
2. In whatever you do, do it in the way you think Jesus would do it.
3. And when you do it, believe it has the same impact and power as if Jesus were doing it himself. Trust in His power, not your own.
One last story before I let you go. In late high school, Colossians 3:17 became one of my “life verses”. I would often quote it when I wrote letters to people. If you see my high school yearbook, you’ll find it in my grad bio. What is a “life verse”? A life verse is a verse from the Bible that you find speaks so powerfully to you — not just about one season in your life but every season. That verse could express a promise you love from God’s Word. It could teach a Biblical truth that is especially dear to you. Or, as in my case, it could paint a picture of the kind of life you want to live.
The Bible doesn’t say anything about needing to have a life verse. You’re not sinning by not having one. But when I think about how much Jesus, Paul and others hung onto specific passages of Scripture, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind but approve of you having a life verse. Having a life verse brings focus and joy to my life.
Do you have a life verse? If you have a life verse, share it with me. I’d love to know. If you don’t have a life verse, I think you’ll find it an interesting exercise to search for one.
With that in mind, here’s my prayer for you: whatever you do, whether in word or deed, may you do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through him. Praise God!
Lord Jesus, thank You for entrusting us with Your powerful, beautiful, precious name. I’m amazed to this day that You would let us do things in Your name. So I pray for my brothers and sisters, that in whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we would do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus — doing it to honour You, doing it the way You would do it, doing it knowing that because it’s Your name it has power, and trusting in Your strength and not our own. Thank You, Lord Jesus. In Your NAME, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
